Meet Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete
IT is surprising for a Muslim to keep a collection of seven Bibles. But even more astonishing when the Bibles are presents from people who know that he is a Muslim. After getting the first Bible one would have thought he would not accept another one. But he now has seven and is still counting.
By Arthur Baguma
IT is surprising for a Muslim to keep a collection of seven Bibles. But even more astonishing when the Bibles are presents from people who know that he is a Muslim. After getting the first Bible one would have thought he would not accept another one. But he now has seven and is still counting.
President of the United Republic of Tanzania for three months now, Jakaya Kikwete, a devout Muslim, received his first Bible from Mama Maria Nyerere, the widow of former President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. The present came when Kikwete was campaigning to be the presidential candidate for Chama Chamapinduzi (CCM) which Nyerere helped to found.
“Accepting Bibles by a Muslim is a symbol of a true democrat and liberal person who believes in accommodating the beliefs and views of all people — a man who believes in unity in diversity,†a foreign envoy observes.
Kikwete is visiting Uganda today as part of his maiden tour of East African countries as President. He is regarded as a rare breed of politicians who rose through the ranks meritoriously.
Though soft-spoken, “He is a no-nonsense man when it comes to defending what he believes in — a vigour which could be mistaken for arrogance,†the Tanzania media describes him.
Kikwete, 55, is a former military officer who retired from the army at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to concentrate on politics.
Shaka Ssali, a presenter at Voice of America, described Kikwete as a simple man with no ideal sophistication associated with successful politicians and military men. The two once shared a hotel and Kikwete left his hotel room to chat with Shaka.
“I found him rather simple and inspiring,†Shaka said.
An economist, a successful military man and politician, Kikwete is also a keen sportsman and is a patron of the national basketball association. His record as a party stalwart is unquestionable and politics rules his life. He has a strong personal touch, and he is happy to share a joke with journalists when interviews are over.
Colonel Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was born on October 7, 1950 in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Tanganyika. He received his primary education at Msoga Primary School between (1958-1961) and middle school education at Lugoba School (1962-1965). He moved to Kibaha Secondary School for O-level education (1966-1969) and the following year joined Tanga Secondary School for A-level education. He joined the military shortly after his Economics degree course at University of Dar es Salaam (1972-1978).
In 1983 he attended a one-year Company Commanders Course at the Monduli Military Officers College in Monduli, Arusha. Subsequently, he held several posts in the Tanzanian military, rising through the ranks from a Lieutenant in 1972 to Lieutenant-Colonel where he retired.
He was minister of foreign affairs for 10 years in Benjamin Mkapa’s government before he successfully bid for the highest office in the land under the CCM banner. He won the December 14, 2005 election with a landslide of 80.3%. Thirteen African heads of state witnessed his swearing-in on December 21, 2005 following the election described by international observers as well-run.
Kikwete is the only MP in Bagamoyo district who represented a constituency for three consecutive terms. He began as MP for Bagamoyo and later for Chalinze when the district was divided into two constituencies.
Kikwete has managed to distance himself from allegations of corruption that have dogged other members of the various Cabinets in which he has served.
He says his biggest concern is to try to resolve tensions in the islands of Zanzibar, where the opposition has considerable support. He inherited a country whose economy is growing at an impressive rate of 6% a year and whose politics is perhaps the most predictable on the continent. One of his big challenges is therefore to maintain the stability that has made Tanzania the envy of many Africans. From his own words, there is no cause for worry: “I promise that the party — and the country — will be in good hands,†the press quoted Kikwete as saying. Indeed not verbose, perhaps because of his background in Economics, he described Tanzania’s future in one sentence.
In his inauguration speech, he said he would continue the free-market policies of his predecessor and work on improving relations with the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar as a priority.
“Those who expect radical changes in policy and direction are mistaken and lost. The government of the fourth republic will build on what was undertaken by previous governments and will continue with all good things,†he said. With experience of 17 years as a government minister, he knew what he was talking about.
Kikwete is a family man, married with children. He is very light-skinned, slender, tall, handsome and some fans in Tanzania say he has a “baby face†because he does not look 55. He is the youngest president in East Africa though with a vast experience in public affairs management.
FACT FILE
Political career
-1988 - 1990 Nominated MP
-1988 - 1990 Deputy Minister of Energy
-1988 - 1990 MP for Bagamoyo
-1990 - 1994 Minister of Water, Energy and Minerals
-1994 - 1995 Minister of Finance
-1990 - 2005 Elected MP
-1995 - 2005 Minster of Foreign Affairs
l2005 - Todate - President
Military career
-1972 - 1979 Lieutenant
-1979 - 1984 Captain
-1984 - 1986 Chief Political Instructor, TPDF (national army)
-1984 - 1991 Major
-1991 - Todate Lt. Colonel
IT is surprising for a Muslim to keep a collection of seven Bibles. But even more astonishing when the Bibles are presents from people who know that he is a Muslim. After getting the first Bible one would have thought he would not accept another one. But he now has seven and is still counting.
President of the United Republic of Tanzania for three months now, Jakaya Kikwete, a devout Muslim, received his first Bible from Mama Maria Nyerere, the widow of former President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. The present came when Kikwete was campaigning to be the presidential candidate for Chama Chamapinduzi (CCM) which Nyerere helped to found.
“Accepting Bibles by a Muslim is a symbol of a true democrat and liberal person who believes in accommodating the beliefs and views of all people — a man who believes in unity in diversity,†a foreign envoy observes.
Kikwete is visiting Uganda today as part of his maiden tour of East African countries as President. He is regarded as a rare breed of politicians who rose through the ranks meritoriously.
Though soft-spoken, “He is a no-nonsense man when it comes to defending what he believes in — a vigour which could be mistaken for arrogance,†the Tanzania media describes him.
Kikwete, 55, is a former military officer who retired from the army at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to concentrate on politics.
Shaka Ssali, a presenter at Voice of America, described Kikwete as a simple man with no ideal sophistication associated with successful politicians and military men. The two once shared a hotel and Kikwete left his hotel room to chat with Shaka.
“I found him rather simple and inspiring,†Shaka said.
An economist, a successful military man and politician, Kikwete is also a keen sportsman and is a patron of the national basketball association. His record as a party stalwart is unquestionable and politics rules his life. He has a strong personal touch, and he is happy to share a joke with journalists when interviews are over.
Colonel Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was born on October 7, 1950 in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Tanganyika. He received his primary education at Msoga Primary School between (1958-1961) and middle school education at Lugoba School (1962-1965). He moved to Kibaha Secondary School for O-level education (1966-1969) and the following year joined Tanga Secondary School for A-level education. He joined the military shortly after his Economics degree course at University of Dar es Salaam (1972-1978).
In 1983 he attended a one-year Company Commanders Course at the Monduli Military Officers College in Monduli, Arusha. Subsequently, he held several posts in the Tanzanian military, rising through the ranks from a Lieutenant in 1972 to Lieutenant-Colonel where he retired.
He was minister of foreign affairs for 10 years in Benjamin Mkapa’s government before he successfully bid for the highest office in the land under the CCM banner. He won the December 14, 2005 election with a landslide of 80.3%. Thirteen African heads of state witnessed his swearing-in on December 21, 2005 following the election described by international observers as well-run.
Kikwete is the only MP in Bagamoyo district who represented a constituency for three consecutive terms. He began as MP for Bagamoyo and later for Chalinze when the district was divided into two constituencies.
Kikwete has managed to distance himself from allegations of corruption that have dogged other members of the various Cabinets in which he has served.
He says his biggest concern is to try to resolve tensions in the islands of Zanzibar, where the opposition has considerable support. He inherited a country whose economy is growing at an impressive rate of 6% a year and whose politics is perhaps the most predictable on the continent. One of his big challenges is therefore to maintain the stability that has made Tanzania the envy of many Africans. From his own words, there is no cause for worry: “I promise that the party — and the country — will be in good hands,†the press quoted Kikwete as saying. Indeed not verbose, perhaps because of his background in Economics, he described Tanzania’s future in one sentence.
In his inauguration speech, he said he would continue the free-market policies of his predecessor and work on improving relations with the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar as a priority.
“Those who expect radical changes in policy and direction are mistaken and lost. The government of the fourth republic will build on what was undertaken by previous governments and will continue with all good things,†he said. With experience of 17 years as a government minister, he knew what he was talking about.
Kikwete is a family man, married with children. He is very light-skinned, slender, tall, handsome and some fans in Tanzania say he has a “baby face†because he does not look 55. He is the youngest president in East Africa though with a vast experience in public affairs management.
FACT FILE
Political career
-1988 - 1990 Nominated MP
-1988 - 1990 Deputy Minister of Energy
-1988 - 1990 MP for Bagamoyo
-1990 - 1994 Minister of Water, Energy and Minerals
-1994 - 1995 Minister of Finance
-1990 - 2005 Elected MP
-1995 - 2005 Minster of Foreign Affairs
l2005 - Todate - President
Military career
-1972 - 1979 Lieutenant
-1979 - 1984 Captain
-1984 - 1986 Chief Political Instructor, TPDF (national army)
-1984 - 1991 Major
-1991 - Todate Lt. Colonel